History and background of Todd Oldham

Todd Oldham was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA in 1961. He was drawn to fashion without any formal training. At the age of 15, he turned a K-Mart pillowcase into a sun dress for his sister.

He showed his first collection in 1981, which was bought by the department store Neiman Marcus.

In 1988, he moved to New York and launched his "Times 7" line which featured unusual buttons and accessories. In 1989, a womens wear line was produced. Oldham is a maverick designer with a great sense of fun. His combinations of clothes and colours show a wild, childlike sensibility designed to amuse. Fond of ornamentation, he often shows beaded and sequined gowns and jackets. He also makes brightly patterned sweaters and waistcoats, frequently done in patchwork. He became a consultant for ESCADA the German fashion house, in 1994. He designs colourful garments for them.

Oldham always risks kitsch to achieve his distinctive style. Quirky colours and textures are used for his flash and panache. His denim and bikinis are fringed, his midriffs bared and his skirts invariably short.